Building record 1174/4/2 - The Old Rectory

Late C17 and later. Five-bay front. Central window with moulded architrave. Central shallow gable. Possibly once a vicarage.

{1} Late C17 and later. Five-bay front. Central window with moulded architrave. Central shallow gable.

{2} The Old Rectory (rear wing) was erected by Sir Robert Banastre, Comptroller of the Royal Household to James I from 1626. The work had apparently been completed by the time of his death in 1646. The Old Rectory lost its 17th century rear wing in the 1980s.
No fabric of the 17th century building on this site survives.
The 1608 Whittlewood Forest survey map in NRO shows a large ‘Z’-plan building on the site adjacent to the south side of the churchyard of St Guthlac.
The rear outer domestic offices of this building survived until c.1980 in a ruinous state. The features noted were two and three light ovolo moulded stone mullioned windows. The rectory itself was a l7th century building with an 18th century symmetrical façade and low pediment. This building was further extended to the rear by Rev. Loraine Loraine-Smith in c. 1860 in a fashionable violent multi-coloured red and blue brick.

{3} Identified by South Northamptonshire Council as being a building of historic and/or architectural significance.

{4} There is confusion over the location of the post-medieval manor house. There are two substantial houses with possible C17th remains (one to either side of the church). Evidence from Bridges County History (information 1718-1724) suggests the current parsonage to the south of the church: "The parsonage house was the antient seat of the Banastres". However the present manor house to the north of the church was preferred by Baker in 1836: "The manor house stood to the north of the church, and part is still remaining in a dilapidated state".

{5} Two undated photos of the interior;

<1> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.370 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<2> Woodfield P., 2005, The Whittlewood Project: Historic Buildings Survey, Passenham with Old Stratford, (checked) (Report). SNN105033.

<3> SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL, 2012, South Northamptonshire Council Survey of Significant Historic Buildings, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108984.

<4> Parry S., 1996, An Archaeological Evaluation at Manor Nurseries, Passenham, (checked) (Report). SNN4098.

<5> Photographs of buildings in Old Stratford (Photographs). SNN112954.

<6> Woodfield, P, 2003, The Whittlewood Project: Phase 1 rapid survey of all buildings within the 12 parishes of the survey, identifying buildings that have, or are likely to have, fabric dating from before 1700 (Report). SNN116636.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 6:38PM